It’s Tuesday evening and we are sitting in front of the fireplace staring at the burning coals and enjoying our last night in Sibanga this trip. It has been a very blessed day.
We began by introducing three ladies from the Kimoson Visionary Woman’s Group to two ladies from the Liberty Illuminate Christian Ministries group to discuss tabletop banking. Edith, Alice and Esther have such a passion for this type of micro-financing because they have seen it work first-hand among their own groups of women, so it was inspirational to listen to them share their passion with all of us. They have a saying: “Empower a woman and you empower her community.” We saw evidence of this as we listened to them and reflected on the meeting we attended with them last Friday.
We then met with one of three potential architects and walked the land which we are in the process of purchasing. He told us he has a very big vision for what he will do, and we watched him and his assistant measure off the dimensions of the property. He is already roughing up sketches of where buildings will be constructed.
Samwel Wafula brought the architect to us in Sibanga and was gracious enough to allow us to ride back into Kitale with them where we had arranged a meeting with Patricia to look at the beadwork she had created after making a trip to Nairobi to purchase supplies. We had expected her to present us with one or two samples but instead, we are bringing home around 24 necklaces and 50 bracelets which we will try to sell for them in the United States and then re-invest the money with her on our next visit. Hope you all have not finished your Christmas shopping!
So as we sprawl out on the sofas in front of the fire this evening, there is a feeling of contentment settling over both of us. This trip has had God’s handiwork written all over it and we are eager to see what He has in store for us next!
Our driver has arrived safely in Kitale and will be picking us up tomorrow at Zippy’s shamba by 9:00AM. We expect to arrive in Nairobi around 5:00PM and get settled into the guesthouse so that we can prepare for our final couple of days in Nairobi before returning to the States in time for Christmas.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Day 16 - Still Hanging Around in Sibanga
Today we stayed near our roots in Sibanga. We spend time meeting with Pastor John to encourage him, we visited one last time with Timothy Mahindu, and caught up with our old friend Joseph Kariuki. Joseph is a five-star chef who used to cook for Zippy but he recently decided to return to his farm so he can be closer to his family.
Grace invited us to visit her at her “posho mill”; a place for grinding maize into a fine powder for making ugali, a Kenyan staple. Once people have finished their farming and other activities of the day, the mill becomes very busy. We learned what a sharp business woman Grace is when she told us how much she figured electricity costs her per minute! So instead of turning the mill on and off every time she has a customer, she waits until a que has formed. The customers seem to understand and it becomes a social gathering place while they wait! Grace then arranged for someone to manage her mill briefly while we met her son, Kibet. When we last visited with Grace, she was expecting Kibet and after we left, the little guy was reluctant to join the world . . . he was quite late in his arrival! But as we visited with him today he seemed to be a very content little boy. Surprisingly, where many small children are afraid of our white skin, Kibet allowed both Ellen and Dawn to hold him on their laps and he didn’t cry . . . until his mommy left to return to the mill!
All in all, a very productive day which included surprise visits with a police officer to whom we gave six of our Bibles . . . one for him and the rest for his officers, and the chef (Ben) at a small restaurant who told us about his work in starting three different orphanages. It turns out Ben knows our friends Jeff and Carla who also run an orphanage in Sibanga! Another awesome day behind us for which we give thanks! Tomorrow is our last full day in Sibanga as we leave early Wednesday morning for the return trip to Nairobi. We’re still not finished though, as we have people yet to meet with before our flight leaves on Friday!
Grace invited us to visit her at her “posho mill”; a place for grinding maize into a fine powder for making ugali, a Kenyan staple. Once people have finished their farming and other activities of the day, the mill becomes very busy. We learned what a sharp business woman Grace is when she told us how much she figured electricity costs her per minute! So instead of turning the mill on and off every time she has a customer, she waits until a que has formed. The customers seem to understand and it becomes a social gathering place while they wait! Grace then arranged for someone to manage her mill briefly while we met her son, Kibet. When we last visited with Grace, she was expecting Kibet and after we left, the little guy was reluctant to join the world . . . he was quite late in his arrival! But as we visited with him today he seemed to be a very content little boy. Surprisingly, where many small children are afraid of our white skin, Kibet allowed both Ellen and Dawn to hold him on their laps and he didn’t cry . . . until his mommy left to return to the mill!
All in all, a very productive day which included surprise visits with a police officer to whom we gave six of our Bibles . . . one for him and the rest for his officers, and the chef (Ben) at a small restaurant who told us about his work in starting three different orphanages. It turns out Ben knows our friends Jeff and Carla who also run an orphanage in Sibanga! Another awesome day behind us for which we give thanks! Tomorrow is our last full day in Sibanga as we leave early Wednesday morning for the return trip to Nairobi. We’re still not finished though, as we have people yet to meet with before our flight leaves on Friday!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Day 15 - Hanging Around Sibanga
Today was a beautiful day in Sibanga! After breakfast, Zippy took us to Imani Sirwo AIC church with her. The children were in VBS last week so today was their day to share memory verses and sing songs they had learned. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! The message was a tag team effort by a husband and wife duo that helped spearhead the VBS activity in the Sibanga area. They want churches to focus on children ages 4 through 14 as the most formative for early spiritual development.
At the conclusion of the service, Pastor Isaac Gikonyo and his wife Grace invited us to their home for lunch. We were treated to stew, rice, vegetables, and chipati (a kind of fry bread). We took time to share our vision for the work of RUN in Kenya, and Isaac was very excited about the potential!
The ladies of Liberty Christian Ministries had asked to have some time with us so we met them early this evening. We were very eager to share with them our discovery about the tabletop banking group, Visionary Women’s Organization, and arrange a time for a couple of their representatives to meet with some representatives of the Sibanga women. This is going to take place on Tuesday.
After cooking our dinner for us last night, Zippy decided we needed to eat out this evening so she took us to her Kitale Club were Ellen and I both chowed down on a VERY tasty filet mignon! We’re back at the farm now and exhausted as the week’s activities catch up to us. But we’re looking forward to whatever God has in store for the rest of our time in Sibanga.
At the conclusion of the service, Pastor Isaac Gikonyo and his wife Grace invited us to their home for lunch. We were treated to stew, rice, vegetables, and chipati (a kind of fry bread). We took time to share our vision for the work of RUN in Kenya, and Isaac was very excited about the potential!
The ladies of Liberty Christian Ministries had asked to have some time with us so we met them early this evening. We were very eager to share with them our discovery about the tabletop banking group, Visionary Women’s Organization, and arrange a time for a couple of their representatives to meet with some representatives of the Sibanga women. This is going to take place on Tuesday.
After cooking our dinner for us last night, Zippy decided we needed to eat out this evening so she took us to her Kitale Club were Ellen and I both chowed down on a VERY tasty filet mignon! We’re back at the farm now and exhausted as the week’s activities catch up to us. But we’re looking forward to whatever God has in store for the rest of our time in Sibanga.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Day 14 - A Different Place
Today we went to Moisbridge to meet with Timothy and Faith Nyongesa. Timothy and Faith were one of the first couples we ever met in Kenya. We fell in love with them from the start. They both love God with all their hearts. They have had many struggles in life but Timothy is finally experiencing his dream of going to Seminary. He has just completed his first semester at a seminary in Uganda.
Today we saw how this family’s life has been changed with the help of mentoring from Joyce Strong. Timothy finally slowed down enough to set his house in order. We found the family living on their own plot of land with their own modest house with clean water and lots of room for the girls (Mercy, Linda & Karen) to play. The stress level has been removed from Faith as she is now able with some monthly support take care of the family.
Timothy has a very big vision for the Church in Moisbridge. For him ‘the sky is the limit’ when it comes to creating a ministry there. Dawn and I had an opportunity to share with about 14 leaders the journey we have been on as it relates to describing ‘the church’. His ideas are more traditional. We shared how we have been on a more relational journey. I think it was o.k. for the leaders to hear different types of approaches. I am learning that God is a God of many ways, many sizes, and many forms. What we stressed today was the importance of a community that speaks into each others lives. Maybe that will be useful as they move forward.
We love Timothy and Faith very much. We love the heart they have for God. What we are learning, especially in Kenya is that God doesn’t call each of us to do church or be the church in the same ways but we can remain together as a body allowing for the differences. We will continue to walk along side Timothy and Faith as they are called to share the gospel in Moisbridge.
Today we saw how this family’s life has been changed with the help of mentoring from Joyce Strong. Timothy finally slowed down enough to set his house in order. We found the family living on their own plot of land with their own modest house with clean water and lots of room for the girls (Mercy, Linda & Karen) to play. The stress level has been removed from Faith as she is now able with some monthly support take care of the family.
Timothy has a very big vision for the Church in Moisbridge. For him ‘the sky is the limit’ when it comes to creating a ministry there. Dawn and I had an opportunity to share with about 14 leaders the journey we have been on as it relates to describing ‘the church’. His ideas are more traditional. We shared how we have been on a more relational journey. I think it was o.k. for the leaders to hear different types of approaches. I am learning that God is a God of many ways, many sizes, and many forms. What we stressed today was the importance of a community that speaks into each others lives. Maybe that will be useful as they move forward.
We love Timothy and Faith very much. We love the heart they have for God. What we are learning, especially in Kenya is that God doesn’t call each of us to do church or be the church in the same ways but we can remain together as a body allowing for the differences. We will continue to walk along side Timothy and Faith as they are called to share the gospel in Moisbridge.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Day 13 - Another Coincidence in a Long Line of Coincidences
This trip has been full of “coincidences”. The most recent one started with Dawn surfing the internet back in the States and coming across an organization that does something called “tabletop banking”. It is similar to micro-loans but is done through a group of women who pool their savings rather than through a bank. They loan the money to other women who need help providing for their families and the money is paid back at a very low interest rate. So Dawn finds this organization called “Maono Initiative” which is supposed to be located in Nairobi near the guest house at which we stay. But we looked for it and couldn’t find it. Then we asked people who knew the area and they didn’t know where it was. We had all but given up on finding someone to be a resource on this when Pastor Titus Kibet invited us to a women’s group meeting today. We were introduced to Edith, the head of local group called “Visionary Women’s Organization” which does table top banking! The group started with 20 and within one year has grown to 80 women. The group has been so successful that they have purchased a large tent and about 100 plastic chairs which they rent out on a regular basis. They receive 3,000 shillings (about $37) per day for the tent and each chair rents for 10 shillings (about 12 cents). This is a VERY popular business so the women continue to earn more money to put into their account to invest in other women. The beauty of this kind of “banking” is that it improves individuals, families, and communities. How awesome is that!
The next step for us is to introduce the friends we made today to some of our lady friends in Sibanga so they can start their own similar group. This will be another key resource for the work which RUN hopes to do for Kenya in the coming years.
The next step for us is to introduce the friends we made today to some of our lady friends in Sibanga so they can start their own similar group. This will be another key resource for the work which RUN hopes to do for Kenya in the coming years.
Day 12 - The Farmer in the Dell
Today was devoted to visiting the farm of Pastor Titus Kibet. We met Titus through Pastor Isaac when they were preparing for Joyce Strong to come to Kenya and speak during a women’s conference in 2011. I had the opportunity two years ago to visit with Titus and his family and was so impressed with everything he had going on at his farm I wanted Ellen to see it. I thought maybe it would give her some ideas for the cooperative.
When we arrived I first had to greet my little namesake whom I haven’t seen since a few months after her birth; she is now two years old. Little “Dawn-Dawn” as she insists on being called, is a bundle of energy and has a lot of determination! After greeting the other children (Gerald, Mary, and Ann) and Beatrice (Titus’ wife), we sat down to discuss his work. Farmers in Kenya are starting to realize that maize is not necessarily the best crop to grow since it requires six months from planting to harvest and is very susceptible to erratic weather. Farmers are now starting to look to growing other vegetables which they can grow and harvest in half the time, and then plant again. Titus also has chickens and dairy cows. The cows produce enough milk for his family, with a little besides which they sell for extra shillings. The chickens produce eggs for his family with others left over to take to market and sell. Then he took us to see their incubator which Beatrice had just built. (We’ll attach a picture after we get back to the States . . . it takes too long to download here!) Ellen and I were expecting to see a wood frame with chicken wire and some light bulbs for heat. What we saw was a brick cooking stove raised up off the floor with a space underneath that contained a holder for about a dozen eggs. The space was covered in the front with chicken wire and the chickens ran around underneath the “stove” being warmed by the cooking fire. It was BRILLIANT! Beatrice now goes to the homes of other women demonstrating how to build these “incubators” and receives payment for her knowledge!
We enjoyed Kenyan tea (with milk) and crepes while we talked about the mission of RUN, politics in Kenya, and many other things. Our time was over all too soon, but all the drive home I could see the wheels turning in Ellen’s mind – I can’t wait to see how what we saw today may play into the agricultural cooperative!
When we arrived I first had to greet my little namesake whom I haven’t seen since a few months after her birth; she is now two years old. Little “Dawn-Dawn” as she insists on being called, is a bundle of energy and has a lot of determination! After greeting the other children (Gerald, Mary, and Ann) and Beatrice (Titus’ wife), we sat down to discuss his work. Farmers in Kenya are starting to realize that maize is not necessarily the best crop to grow since it requires six months from planting to harvest and is very susceptible to erratic weather. Farmers are now starting to look to growing other vegetables which they can grow and harvest in half the time, and then plant again. Titus also has chickens and dairy cows. The cows produce enough milk for his family, with a little besides which they sell for extra shillings. The chickens produce eggs for his family with others left over to take to market and sell. Then he took us to see their incubator which Beatrice had just built. (We’ll attach a picture after we get back to the States . . . it takes too long to download here!) Ellen and I were expecting to see a wood frame with chicken wire and some light bulbs for heat. What we saw was a brick cooking stove raised up off the floor with a space underneath that contained a holder for about a dozen eggs. The space was covered in the front with chicken wire and the chickens ran around underneath the “stove” being warmed by the cooking fire. It was BRILLIANT! Beatrice now goes to the homes of other women demonstrating how to build these “incubators” and receives payment for her knowledge!
We enjoyed Kenyan tea (with milk) and crepes while we talked about the mission of RUN, politics in Kenya, and many other things. Our time was over all too soon, but all the drive home I could see the wheels turning in Ellen’s mind – I can’t wait to see how what we saw today may play into the agricultural cooperative!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Day 11 - Small Blessings All Day
Today was looking to be a low-key day at the start. After taking breakfast with Zippy and Jela, we were able to go back to our house and look over our list of people we hope to meet and see who we still needed to visit. Zippy came looking for us about 11:30 and took us to see her new coffee and tea nurseries. Very tedious work! Planting small tea stalks in small plastic bags with dirt in them. We saw row after row of them – HUNDREDS! They are placed in small greenhouses and watered every 21 days. They will stay there for about six months when they will be transplanted to the farmland. One tea leaf start sells for 1 shilling but when it matures, each leaf from the bush can be sold for TEN shillings! That’s quite a return!
Next Zippy took us to see some of her land which is being purchased to build the RUN foundation guesthouse and will be the start of what we hope will be an agricultural cooperative in the Sibanga area. After we walked across and she showed us where a new access road would be and the line where we would get our electricity, we stopped to join hands and pray for the future of RUN, the use of this land, and the blessings it would bring to many Kenyans.
Timothy and Rose Mahindu invited us to their home for lunch so we met with them and had an opportunity to also visit with their children – Faith, David and Jeremiah. We talked about the Church (note the capital C) and how we are many members of the same body and we work together whether we do it through the same church (little c) or different ones. We took our loaner motorcycle to Timothy’s general parts store and he was able to fix us up with an oil change, a new spark plug, and the bolts to fasten our crank case cover back on the bike. An easy reason for the local authorities to pull us over, but not at all uncommon in the rough terrain here!
Our little nine-year-old friend Zipporah, who lives on the farm next to our hostess (also named Zipporah), has been begging us every day to take her to the market. Last time were here we took her to town for a soda with some of her little friends and it made a very lasting impression on her. So today we were told by “big Zippy” that “little Zipporah” would enjoy a trip to the Sirwo Plaza restaurant for something more than a soda. Zippy said it would something very special for her to remember so that was just what we did! One piece of cake, one donut, and two bottles of soda later, little Zipporah was finally full! A little more walking around town to see the sites, and we took her back home to her family. Already she is asking if we can do it again tomorrow!
No Bibles given out today because we were around Sibanga all day with friends. That means we’ll have to double our efforts tomorrow!
Next Zippy took us to see some of her land which is being purchased to build the RUN foundation guesthouse and will be the start of what we hope will be an agricultural cooperative in the Sibanga area. After we walked across and she showed us where a new access road would be and the line where we would get our electricity, we stopped to join hands and pray for the future of RUN, the use of this land, and the blessings it would bring to many Kenyans.
Timothy and Rose Mahindu invited us to their home for lunch so we met with them and had an opportunity to also visit with their children – Faith, David and Jeremiah. We talked about the Church (note the capital C) and how we are many members of the same body and we work together whether we do it through the same church (little c) or different ones. We took our loaner motorcycle to Timothy’s general parts store and he was able to fix us up with an oil change, a new spark plug, and the bolts to fasten our crank case cover back on the bike. An easy reason for the local authorities to pull us over, but not at all uncommon in the rough terrain here!
Our little nine-year-old friend Zipporah, who lives on the farm next to our hostess (also named Zipporah), has been begging us every day to take her to the market. Last time were here we took her to town for a soda with some of her little friends and it made a very lasting impression on her. So today we were told by “big Zippy” that “little Zipporah” would enjoy a trip to the Sirwo Plaza restaurant for something more than a soda. Zippy said it would something very special for her to remember so that was just what we did! One piece of cake, one donut, and two bottles of soda later, little Zipporah was finally full! A little more walking around town to see the sites, and we took her back home to her family. Already she is asking if we can do it again tomorrow!
No Bibles given out today because we were around Sibanga all day with friends. That means we’ll have to double our efforts tomorrow!
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